Of the 15 players who made the Horizon League’s All-League teams in 2025-26, just one player – C.J. O’Hara – is set to return to the league, and even he entered the transfer portal, but ended up at Wright State. Players transferring up after productive mid-major seasons is the new norm, and this offseason was no different in the Horizon League.
There’s a handful of incoming transfers from the high-major ranks who didn’t receive an opportunity to play, and plenty of players from mid-major leagues of similar status looking for a bigger opportunity joining the league this season. Each year, the league also sees new faces from Non-Division-I schools make the jump and be key contributors. The list of Non-Division-I transfers in the Horizon League is too lengthy to limit to one article, so here are just a few of the guys who are finding a new home that are worth watching this season.
Jordan Briggs – Detroit Mercy
2025-26 stats at Wayne State (D2): 17 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.1 SPG
He wrapped up his final season at Wayne State, earning First Team All-GLIAC honors, with numbers that, in comparison, were similar to those of Orlando Lovejoy’s in 2025-26. When Lovejoy transferred from Eastern Michigan to Detroit Mercy in 2024-25, he took a major leap. Montgomery leaned heavily on the veteran point guard a year ago, and will need someone to take over as the alpha for the 2026-27 group.
Lance Stone and Tyler Spratt each had their moments last season and should show more growth this season, but it will be valuable for Montgomery to have a guy with three seasons of college basketball under his belt. Sure, the numbers may take a dip, but given the success of Lovejoy, who had a similar skillset, and the Titans’ need for production in the backcourt, Briggs is a guy who could play a major role in his first Division-I season.
Stewart Erhart – Green Bay
2025-26 stats at Fort Lewis (D2): 17.9 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 3.3 APG, 3.7 SPG
Like Montgomery, Doug Gottlieb is also looking to fill the void left by his graduating point guard, Preston Reudinger. Erhart is not going to replace the leadership of Reudinger, who saw the program through the lowest of lows, but he does have a skillset that could provide an answer for Gottlieb at the point guard spot. Most notably, Erhart led the nation in steals per game across all divisions with 3.7 thefts per game. He has major upside as a guy who could wreak havoc on the perimeter for the Phoenix and generate extra possessions.
He shot just over three 3-pointers per contest, connecting on right about 40% of his attempts. With just 36 made threes in 27 games, however, he wasn’t overly reliant on the outside shot. He possesses a quickness that allows him to get downhill, and his 3.3 assists are an indicator of strong instincts as a passer. Nobody is going to come in and fully replace a homegrown senior point guard in one season, but Erhart has plenty of tools to be an impactful guard in the league.
Nate Malosa – Milwaukee
2025-26 stats at Columbia State (JUCO): 9.1 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 3.1 BPG
Since taking over in 2022-23, Bart Lundy has always had his group amongst the league’s best in the frontcourt. Notably, Faizon Fields is out of eligibility, and Sekou Konneh entered the portal, but Ludny was able to retain some key pieces up front. Malosa may not have as expanded a role as other guys making the jump to Division I, but given the success of Lundy’s bigs and his skillset, he could play a role for the Panthers.
He led the NJCAA in blocks in 2025-26, and possesses legit size that will give him physical advantages in the Horizon League. He even showed flashes of a long-range jumper, connecting on 15 of his 34 attempts from deep last season. He remains a bit of a raw prospect and will have to earn his minutes in a frontcourt with some experience, but a near-7-footer with strong rim-protection instincts and the potential to stretch the floor has major upside in a mid-major league.
2025-25 stats at Mount Vernon Nazarene (NAIA): 15.6 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 3.1 APG
With decent size as a guard, and Ben Howlett needing to replace nearly all of his major production from a season ago, Heiss is a guy who could slide in and have a solid individual season. The six-foot-four guard shot 39% from three in 2025-26, and will get plenty of looks in Howlett’s offensive system. His 3.1 assists will be another important aspect of his transition, as both Finely Woodward and Kyler D’Augustino–the team’s leaders in assists–have departed.
As a guard, Heiss’ 7.8 rebounds per game could also be something that translates well to the Horizon League. The Jaguars want to play fast and get a ton of shots up on the offensive end, so a guy who can play physical out of the backcourt, grab rebounds and push the pace could be a nice luxury for Howlett as he looks to show improvement in his second year with the program.
